This Muragala | Centre for Progressive Politics and Policy (CPPP) webinar report documents the impact of the 20% United States (US) tariffs on Sri Lanka from the perspective of trade unions and considers what these developments mean for workers’ rights under the National People’s Party (NPP) government. The webinar which was held in November 2025 explored the key challenges facing trade union action in response to the US tariffs, situated within broader struggles for collective action and solidarity across South Asia and the Global South.
The following questions were central to the discussion:
i. What have been the power relations among key domestic stakeholders related to the tariffs such as workers and trade unions, industry stakeholders, and political and policy actors, both local and foreign?
ii. What do these developments mean for workers’ rights under the NPP government?
iii. What are the key challenges facing trade unionism in response to the US tariffs, situated against broader struggles for collective action and solidarity from South Asia and the Global South?
Speakers representing the following trade unions presented their perspectives, followed by a discussion session.
- Mr. Rusiripala Tennakoon – Former Convener, Ceylon Bank Employees’ Union
- Mr. Dilakson Suresh – Administrative Coordinator, Free Trade Zones and General Services Employees Union
- Ms. Lalitha Ranjani Dedduwa Kumara – Chief Organiser, Textile Garment & Clothing Workers Union (TGCWU)
- Mr. D.B.T. Chathura Samarasinghe – General Secretary, Ceylon Estate Staffs’ Union
The webinar was moderated by Mr. Harindra B. Dassanayake, Senior Researcher at Muragala | Centre for Progressive Politics and Policy (CPPP).
The webinar report can be downloaded below:
